Uninsurance Rate for Women Jumps Nearly 40%

October 1, 1999

The share of women age 18 to 64 without insurance has risen in the last five years, from 13 to 18 percent, despite the fact that 7 out of 10 of those without coverage work or have husbands who do. The Commonwealth Fund study concludes the drop is rooted in changes in employee contributions and other aspects of financing coverage.

About 30 percent of working women are in retail or service jobs, which often pay low wages and either offer no benefits or make them available through relatively substantial payroll deductions. The report found that the rate of private coverage has declined for all women earning under $50,000, most dramatically for those making $15,000 to $35,000. Women age 25 to 34 are least likely to have insurance.